Beech Grove came into existence as a 'company town' for a new railroad repair facility constructed by the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad (nicknamed the "Big Four").  Although Beech Grove was incorporated in late 1906, it did not see rapid growth until the completion of the railroad facility in 1908; by July 1907, for example, there were only four homes and two businesses in place.

 

 

 

Two famous actors have listed Beech Grove as their birthplace—Clifton Webb  and Steve McQueen.

 

 

The City is located within parts of four of Marion County's townships. In order of City land size, those townships are Perry, Franklin, Center, and Warren. (In order of City population, the list is Perry, Center, and Franklin; the Warren Township section is uninhabited railroad land.)

 

 

The City has its own school district, the Beech Grove City Schools, consisting of five facilities (Hornet Park; Central Elementary; South Grove Intermediate; Beech Grove Middle; and Beech Grove High). Its high-school athletic teams, the "Hornets" (colors: orange and black) participate as members of the statewide Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA), the Marion County Athletic Association and the Indiana Crossroads Conference.